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Background & Aim: Preterm birth is the main cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity so, prevention of preterm labor is a priority in health care. This study aimed to determine relationship between house works with preterm labor.

Methods & Materials: In this case-control study, 150 term pregnant women (control group) and 150 preterm pregnant women (case group) delivered in Izadi hospital in Qom were selected in 2008-2009. The data were collected using the "physical activity in pregnancy" scale. Data were analyzed using the Chi-squared test, t-test, and logistic regression. The P-value less than 0.05 was considered as significant level and the adjusted OR was reported for all variables. We used the SPSS- 16 for analyzing the data.

Results: According to the findings, there was no significant relationship between house work regarding duration and severity of activity in pregnancy with preterm labor.

Conclusion: There was no relationship between house work in pregnancy and preterm labor. Further studies are recommended.

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  Background & Aim: Oral health is one of the most important components of personal health. Understanding current status of oral health is necessary to provide future oral health interventions. The aim of this study was to determine factors influencing tooth brushing behavior based on the health belief model (HBM) among 5- and 6-grader students.

  Methods & Materials : : In this cross-sectional study, 370 primary school students were selected using the stratified cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaires based on the HBM. The obtained data were analyzed in the SPSS-20.

  Results: The results showed that 95.7% of the students brushed their teeth once or more daily. Mean and standard deviation of the brushing frequency in one week was 8.66±3.54. There was a significant correlation between the perceived barriers (P=0.00, r=-0.14) and self-efficacy (P=0.04, r=0.10) with the brushing behavior.

  Conclusion : According to the results, educating students and decreasing different barriers seems to be necessary to improve brushing behavior.

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  Background & Aim: Although breast self-examination (BSE) is no longer recommended for screening of breast cancer, its training and practicing is a gateway to health promotion and provides women with knowledge and attitudes that set the stage for clinical breast examination and mammography screening later in life. The aim of this study was to recognize predicting factors of the BSE based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the locus of control model among women aged 20-50 years old.

  Methods & Materials : Inthis cross-sectional study,400 women were selected through theconvenience sampling method from health centers. Data were collected using four questionnaires including the Champion’s Scale, health locus of control, and demographic and functional questionnaires. Data were analyzed in the SPSS using independent T-test, Chi-squared test, logistic and linear regression models.

  Results: The results showed that 10.9% of the participants reported performing BSE regularly. Perceived self-efficacy was the strongest positive predictor in the BSE performance (Exp (B) =1.863). Awareness had direct and indirect effects on the BSE. The locus of control did not predict the BSE (p=0.05).

  Conclusion : Improving self-efficacy, especially in young women, and increasing awareness about cancer among women is necessary to increase the rate of the BSE.

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Background & Aim: Pap smear test is an effective screening method for early detection of cervical cancer. This study aimed to determine the effect of education based on the health belief model on women’s belief and practice regarding Pap smear test.

Methods & Materials: In this quasi experimental study, 100 married women under coverage of Bushehr health centers participated in the study in 2014-2015. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire consisted of demographic information, the questions concerning knowledge and the HBM constructs regarding Pap smear. The training program was performed in two group sessions. Three months after the intervention, women’s practice about Pap smear test was evaluated in both groups. After data collection, data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, repeated measure analysis of variance, independent t-test and Chi square on SPSS software v.20.

Results: Before the study, both groups had not any significant differences in all variables and constructs. After the intervention, the mean scores of knowledge (P<0.001), perceived seriousness (P=0.015) and perceived barriers (P<0.001) were significantly different between two groups. Three months after the intervention, 42 (85.7%) in the intervention group and 4 (8.2%) in the control group had performed Pap smear test (P<0.001).

Conclusion: Designing and implementing educational program based on health belief model can promote women’s awareness and reduce their perceived barriers and as well as enhance their practice regarding Pap smear test.

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Background & Aim: Reducing water-pipe use is among the most effective ways to reduce chronic disease and some cancers. The aim of this study was to determine effect of education based on Health Belief Model (HBM) by health volunteers on water-pipe use among women.

Methods & Materials: This Quasi-experimental study performed on 127 women who used water-pipe (63 in the intervention group and 64 in the control group) in Bushehr in 2014. The data collection tool included demographic characteristics, the HBM constructs about water-pipe use, knowledge about water-pipe complications, and behavior (frequency of water-pipe use in last week and nicotine dependence scale). Intervention group received two sessions of education based on HBM by health volunteers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-whitney test, independent t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and Friedman test on SPSS software version 18.

Results: Before education, both groups were similar in terms of demographic variables, the mean score of knowledge and all the HBM constructs (P>0.05). After education, the mean scores of HBM constructs and knowledge significantly increased and nicotine dependence decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.001). After 3 months, the frequency of water-pipe smoking significantly reduced in the intervention group (P=0.007). But in the same period, there was no significant difference in term of the frequency of water-pipe smoking in the control group.

Conclusion: The results show that education based on the behavior change patterns by health volunteers can be effective in changing beliefs and reducing water-pipe use among women.

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Background & Aim: Diabetes is the most common metabolic disease that needs self-management. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of loss- and gain-framed messages on knowledge, self-efficacy and self-management in diabetic patients.
Methods & Materials: In this randomized clinical trial (IRCT2016122931653N1), 112 patients with type 2 diabetes referred to the 17th Shahrivar Diabetes clinic in Borazjan in 2017, were divided into three groups including loss-framed message, gain-framed message, and control. The data were collected by questionnaires in three steps; before, one week and three months after intervention. Chi-square test, one way analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data on the SPSS software version 22.
Results: Before the intervention, mean scores for knowledge, self-efficacy and self-management in loss-framed messages group and gain-framed messages group were lower than control. One week and three months after the intervention, mean scores for knowledge, self-efficacy and self-management in both the loss-framed messages and gain-framed messages groups showed a significant increase compared to the control group (P<0.001). One week after the education, self-management score in the gain-framed messages group was 102.26±11.20, in the loss-framed messages group was 111.53±13.73 and in the control was 88.75±11.41. Three months after the education, self-management score in the mentioned groups were 105.58±11.80, 108.72±15.39 and 88.49±13.51, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of this study showed that designing and implementing educational programs based on loss-framed messages and especially gain-framed messages can improve knowledge, self-efficacy and self-management behavior in diabetic patients.
 
 

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Background & Aim: Considering the importance of accidents prevention especially in children under 5 years, the study was conducted to determine the predictor factors for household accidents in children under 5 years based on protection-motivation theory (PMT) in Bushehr.
Methods & Materials: In this descriptive study, 700 mothers with a child aged 6 months to 5 years, referred to health centers in Bushehr were selected by the convenience sampling method from March to August 2018. To collect the data, a valid and reliable self-structured questionnaire including demographic characteristics, questions on constructs of PMT and questions on the household accidents prevention behaviors was used. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software version 22.
Results: In this study, 86% of mothers (602) were housekeeper and 46% (326) had academic education. The most common accident prevention behavior was preventing access to drugs, chemicals and toxins (98%). Perceived self-efficacy (P<0.001, B=0.259) and perceived cost (P<0.001, B=-0.159) were significant predictors for household accident prevention behaviors in children under 5 years, and perceived self-efficacy was the most predictors construct. Based on the linear regression model, these two constructs along with a history of prior accident, predicted 15% (R²=0.150) of behavioral changes.
Conclusion: According to the results of the study, the PMT is a poor predictor for accident prevention behavior, and in educational programs, emphasis on promoting self-efficacy and providing assistance to reduce barriers and difficulties in creating safety in the home (decreasing perceived cost) are necessary for reducing household accidents in children under 5 years.
 

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Background & Aim: Considering the importance of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance to end the corona disease pandemic, the study was conducted to determine the factors affecting the vaccine acceptance based on the behavioral change wheel mode and its components (capability, opportunity, and motivation).
Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, 1102 adults aged 18 years and older living in Bushehr province were selected by multi-stage sampling method from February 16 to 28, 2021. To collect the data, a questionnaire including demographic characteristics, questions on the constructs related to the behavioral change wheel model components and questions on the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance was completed on WhatsApp platform. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 22.
Results: The results of the study showed that most participants tended to receive the Iranian vaccine (726 people or 65.9%). Among the demographic factors, only gender was associated with vaccination, and men were more likely to accept to be vaccinated (P=0.022). Among the model constructs, the most predictive construct was related to social support in the opportunity component (P<0.001, β=0.55 and B=0.183). In the motivation component, social role (P<0.001 and β=0.118 and B=0.162) and in the capability component, behavioral regulation (P<0.001 and β=0.152 and B=0.155) had the highest predictor of vaccine acceptance. In general, constructs of opportunity component had the greatest impact on vaccine acceptance.
Conclusion: In order to increase the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination, opportunities should be provided through social support, vaccination should be introduced as a social role, and behavioral regulation, in other words, understanding of the ability to vaccinate to prevent the disease and break the disease transmission chain should be promoted.